Shirley E. Forster, 88, of New Ulm died Sunday, June 11, 2023 at the Sleepy Eye Care Center in Sleepy Eye.

Shirley Elizabeth Aschenbrenner was born January 16, 1935 in New Ulm to Alfred Sr. and Rose (Goblirsch) Aschenbrenner. She attended School Dist. #31 in Nicollet County and was a 1953 graduate of Holy Trinity High School. Shirley was united in marriage to Leander Forster on May 3, 1955 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in New Ulm. After marriage, the couple resided in New Ulm where she was employed as a telephone operator for New Ulm Telephone and then as a bookkeeper/secretary at Forster Welding and Trenching in New Ulm. Shirley was active as a Girl Scout Leader, Council of Catholic Women, Christian Mother's Society, Catholic Order of Foresters, Turner Halle Ladies and served funeral lunches at St. Mary's. She also enjoyed bowling and playing Sheepshead and 500 with her friends.

Shirley is survived by her daughters, Cynthia Wurtzberger of New Ulm, Lynnae (Chuck) Lynch of Stillwater; sister, Lois Drill of New Ulm; brothers, Alfred (Lillian) Aschenbrenner Jr. and Howard (Phyllis) Aschenbrenner all of New Ulm; grandchildren, Alan (Amanda) Wurtzberger, Gary (Jamie) Wurtzberger, Kendra (Chris) Lohmer, Meghan (Karl) Shepard, Drew (Annalise) Lynch; great grandchildren, Annika, Audrey and Afton Wurtzberger, Bryce and Brax Wurtzberger, Gavin, Hadley and Teagan Lohmer, Beckett, Callen and Peyton Shepard and Miles Lynch; and a brother in law, Donald (Sue) Forster of New Ulm.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Leander; son-in-law Dale Wurtzberger; great granddaughter Tatum Shepard; brother-in-law Roger Drill; brother-in-law Albert (Marion) Forster; sister-in-law, Adeline (Frank) Saffert.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 AM Friday, June 16, 2023 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in New Ulm. Burial will follow in the New Ulm Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be 9 – 11 AM on Friday at St Mary's Catholic Church.

The Christian Mother's Society will pray the rosary at 4 PM Thursday at the Cathedral.

The Minnesota Valley Funeral Home in New Ulm is handling the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to St Mary's Catholic Church in New Ulm, Turner Halle in New Ulm or the American Cancer Society.